US President Donald Trump was booed on Thursday when he gathered in front of the coffin of progressive Supreme Court judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died last Friday at the age of 87.
US President Donald Trump gathered in front of the coffin of progressive Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Thursday, prompting boos and cries of protest.
Wearing a black mask, accompanied by his wife Melania, the tenant of the White House marked a moment of silence in the face of the remains of the feminist icon who died Friday at the age of 87.
The approach is all the more singular as the Republican billionaire, who has never donned the clothes of a unifier since his arrival at the White House, is unusual in paying tribute to personalities not on his political side.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg did not "want to be replaced" before the election
After a few seconds of silence, people present on the scene expressed their anger.
If the crowd was not very large, the scene testifies to the climate of tension reigning in Washington.
"Honor his wish," some said in a reference to the dying Supreme Court dean who did not want to be replaced before the inauguration of a new president in January.
"My dearest wish is not to be replaced until a new president is sworn in," the 87-year-old judge told her granddaughter Clara Spera a few days before her death.
Donald Trump will appoint a new judge on Saturday
Donald Trump this week questioned his granddaughter's statements.
“I don't know if she (Ruth Bader Ginsburg) said it,” he said, sneering that it sounded like a statement from Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Two days after having collected his thoughts, the Republican president will initiate the process of the succession of "RBG": he must announce Saturday afternoon, from the White House, the name of the judge he wishes to appoint to this influential post.
Five women, including magistrate Amy Coney Barrett, darling of religious circles, and a conservative judge of Cuban origin, Barbara Lagoa, were shortlisted.
With 40 days of the election, the Republican senators intend to hurry to confirm the choice of the president.
They hold a majority in the Senate, despite the defection of two elected officials who consider it preferable to wait for the November election.
"I think it will go very, very quickly," the president predicted Thursday morning on
Fox Radio
.